By Hannah Marion Namukasa
Police have arrested National Unity Platform (NUP) Vice President for the Buganda Region, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, in connection with alleged incidents of political violence in Butambala District.
Kivumbi, who is also the incumbent Member of Parliament for Butambala County, was taken into custody on Wednesday and is being held at an undisclosed police facility.
Confirming the arrest, Katonga Region Police Spokesperson Lydia Tumushabe said investigations are ongoing and that Kivumbi will be presented before court in due course.
“The Uganda Police Force would like to confirm the arrest of the Butambala County legislator, Hon. Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi. He is currently in police custody and will be arraigned before court in due course,” Tumushabe said. “His arrest is in connection with recent incidents of political violence in Butambala.”
The arrest comes amid heightened political tensions following recent elections. President Yoweri Museveni has publicly accused Kivumbi and the wider National Unity Platform of planning violent attacks involving armed gangs during the electoral process.
Speaking during his maiden address at his country home in Rwakitura, Museveni claimed that intelligence services had uncovered plans for violence, allegedly based on information provided by members of the opposition themselves.
“Unfortunately, some in the opposition are wrong, but not terrorists. However, some are wrong and also terrorists,” Museveni said. “In Butambala, Kivumbi was defeated, and the plan everywhere was that where NUP lost, gangs armed with pangas would attack polling stations. This was attempted when Kivumbi was defeated, and seven of them were shot dead.”
The President added that the alleged plan was thwarted after security agencies received early warning.
“Unluckily for them, some of their members had met me two days earlier and spilled the beans,” Museveni said, noting that the meeting took place at Nakasero State Lodge.
Police say investigations into the alleged violence are continuing as the country awaits Kivumbi’s appearance in court.
